So 6 weeks ago I flew out to LA and bought this 1985 4Runner. I've read so much on these forums I'm getting myself lost and confused, so I'll definitely have questions as I build this thing. I had to include a picture with my crazy dog.

looks pretty clean for a base 4runner.
EFI or Carb?

Nice!
What is that double lever in the steering wheel left side?

@SomeDay I was going to ask the same thing. Looks super good for it age though!

You have a pretty clean 4Runner!

It looks like rust is minimal (if any) and has the usual wear spots.


It looks like an aftermarket cruise control switch stalk to me.

Nice find man. May we ask mileage and price? Just for us dreamers... I was born 87 so it's older than me.

Cruise Control maybe?? Would be interested to know for sure...

Super clean rig; congrats!!

It's an EFI, thanks!

The original owner installed cruise control. I'm not sure how I feel about it to be honest, but I'm assuming it'll be easy to take off if I want.

The original owner sold it to the guy I bought it from in 2016. I think it spent all but 4 years in southern CA, with the others in Washington State. The guy I bought it from had like 10+ old toyotas - FJ40's, FJ45's, lots of cool stuff. This one has 208K miles on it.

The frame is in great condition, no rust I can see, but there is some minor rust in a few places.

Supposedly original paint, but it was buffed down to the primer in some places unfortunately.

Looking really closely at these pics, I can see one problem very clearly - IT'S NOT MINE!

Congrats on a great-looking ride, sir. Makes me miss my 1988 that I drove virtually everywhere for 18 years, 305,000 miles. My nostalgia would prevent me from building, however. But wherever you take her, enjoy!

Clean 1st Gen! What are your plans for it?

I'm not really sure.. I want to do a lift with 33s, and I don't want to do any trimming, so I need to figure that out. Down the road I might do 35s, but I'm not ready for that yet. I think I read somewhere there are clearance differences between SAS 1st gens and 84/85 1st gens.. I think 85s need more lift to fit 33s if I remember correctly. I was leaning towards a 3" suspension lift with crossover steering, including whatever else needs updated to accommodate that lift.

I'm going to replace the front/rear bumpers with Low Range Offroad Rock Defense bumpers, or something similar, and rock sliders.

I want to fix up the drivers seat with original fabric, so I'll need to find a used matching seat somewhere. I found one on ebay, but it was pricey.

Then I'll probably put in selectable lockers front and rear.

Honestly I'm not going to take this thing rock crawling much, if at all.. more or less an overland truck that I want to try and keep clean as much as I can, but I want it to be as capable as can be without destroying it.

Sooner than later I'll probably buy a Softopper for it.

going to high steer will be a huge improvement in handling and safety.

SAS'ed 86-95 trucks end up being slightly higher due to the end of the IFS frame having a slightly different bend than the 79-85(84-85 4Runner) factory SA frames. Unless you go with a stock length replacement lift spring your will end up using a new from spring hanger. I would recommend keeping the truck as low as you can. I used the T-G hanger on my 81, it lifted the front way more than I expected. I used the Low Range Off Road low profile front spring hanger when I SAS'ed my 94 and was happy that it came out about an 3/4-1" lower than if I used the T-G front hanger.

The Rock Defense bumpers (low range is owned by T-G) are made by Trail-Gear. Search around on Google, many times you can get a better deal on them with free shipping through Summit Racing or 4Wheel parts.

Selectable lockers is a good way to go...someday for my 94

That is a clean rig you got.

Thanks for all the info!